Machu Picchu & Galapagos or SA Cruise?

[cruiseph]

We are debating whether to take an OAT trip to Machu Picchu or a South American Cruise in November 2007. Does anyone have any opinions?

[greatam]

We are debating whether to take an OAT trip to Machu Picchu or a South American Cruise in November 2007. Does anyone have any opinions?

 

Why not do both??? You can do MP on your own for very little money, then fly to Santiago (Valparaiso) for a cruise. You could do a three night, four day stay in Cusco/MP for as little as $1000.00 for two-$700 or less for airfare and train-Lima/Cusco/Lima and the first class train RT to MP and $200.00 for a very decent hotel.

 

IMHO, the packaged tours to MP are WAY too aggresive in their timing. They have people getting off the plane in Cusco, resting at the hotel for a few short hours, then getting on a bus to go see ruins, which generally require climbing or walking. VERY good way to get AMS (altitude sickness). I have seen soooo many people on packaged tours either miss MP entirely or spend most of their sightseeing time around Cusco/Sacred Valley in their hotels trying to overcome AMS because of the aggressive schedules.

 

Please see the other MP thread in this forum.